Mechanical clutch



Patented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT 1MECHANICAL CLUTCH James EbliapmanQLos Angeles;Caiii' assignor toThe'Garrettyflorporation, Los Angeles, Calif.,

'1 acorporation-ofCalifornia v 9, 1946, SerialNoL.712,947 .f,

My invention relates to a clutch, ordr'iv nection operative between a drivingmembl as flaps, doors, undercarri'age,' etc';ffThginvention provides a simple means rer enabling manual operation of these actuators at-anytime. .T

It is an object of thedne'nti self -releasingv two-way, drive 1' connection having therein clutch elements which are'maintained in retracted inoperative condition when the driving member or drive shaft isstationarygand having a simple means of cam'characterfor. actuating the clutch members into operative position, response to rotation of the drive shaft; 7

It is a further objectofthe invention to provide a self-releasing drive connection of the character described in the preceding paragraph. wherein the cam meansforlactuating the clutch members comprises aspur gear which" projects from or forms part of the driving meinber and engages cooperating teeth formed on the clutch members, these teeth formingftoothed "racks which are engaged by the'teeth of the gear so that when the gear is rotated, force retransmitted therefrom through the teeth o'f wthelrack to the clutch members to.movethe "sameo'utwardly into engagement with-ao'wall rorffriction surface of the driven member; f A further object of thfe'inventionis to provide a self-releasing drive connection'of this typehaving simple means for retracting the clutch members when the rotation of thedriving member is discontinued, so that the clutch members will 7 then lie in centralized relation tolth'e' axis ofrotation of the driving and driven members; to enable independent rotation ofj'th driven member. f Further objects and'advantages ofthe invention will be broughtout in'thefoliowing'part of the specification.) j i Referring to the'di We Purpwes kl .f...i 'v

n to, provide a Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional'vievv through a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig; 215 asectionalviewtaken as indicated by theline2 2'ofF ig;l-.- a a Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by theline 3-3 of Fig. 2, i F 4 is a sectionalviewof'an alternate form of my inventiontaken from thesarneviewpoint asFig.2. V In 1 1 show a driving member 10 supported for rotation by bearing meansi I mounted in end plate 2 l'.v This drivingme'mb'er I 0 is shown as a shaft which may be; for example, 'theoutput shaft of a motor drivenfreduction gear mechanism of'a slowspeed'actuatorfinot shown. Ax-

ially aligned with the shaft in there is a driven member 12 having a shaft {3 supported for rota tion by bearing -me a'nsl-4 ;mounted in a cupshapedhousing 22.

' On the end [5 of the shaft lflfwhi'ch projects toward the driven member l2, clutchactuating means 'I 6 is provided, this clutch actuating means 16 comprising a spur gear havingfg'ean'teethifl1 formed on the shaft o -Theanveng me ber 12 has a radial Wall l8 which 'is Spaced fi ornthe gear Is and acylindric wall I9 which projects from the periphery of the radial wall I8 so as to surround theg earf I6 in concentric relation thereto. Attached to the end 'plate z'li. is a' flat annular staticmemberzm;

Within the cyli ndric "wall I9 of "the driven member I I2 are arranged elutcl'i' shoes 25" which are positioned on opposite sides 'of the" gear 16 and have on the innerfaces'thereof rack teeth 26 which engage the gear teeth I-I. Theends' of the clutch members-,orshoes 25 comprise areuate walls 21 having outer curved surfaces za 'formed for frictional engagement with theimier surface 29 of the cylindriewall I,9. When"the shoes-25 are in centralized position as shownin Fig. 2, the curved surfaces 28 thereof define a --c'ylinder or slightly smaller diameterv than 'the cylindric inner surface 29 of the wall, i9. ""Thereforefwhenthe 'shoes 25 are in saidfcentralized' position'gth sur faces 28 of the ,shos Tfi will not pressu 7 aget ewa11,|9.;f i.

On the innerjface's of the ci tween the rack teeth '26 an themes of the s e are cylindrical grooves 30" in which 'are' seated rollers 24 of slightly less radius'thanthe "grooves 30. A pair of rollers 24: are employed, one on each side of the gear I61: c:-s'hajpedfsprin'gs 3] are applied to theolutchjshoesfi 'so'asi to force them toward each other, and toward engagementjwith therollersfl, so that thefrollers:thus support the shoes in parallelism, yet permit them to shift a limited distance relative to each other. The sides of the shoes 25 have grooves 32 therein to receive the substantially straight portions of the springs 3| and the hooked end portions 33 of the springs 3| are positioned so as to engage the outer faces of the shoes 25 as shown in Fig. 3. A dished spring washer is positioned between the radial wall [8 of the driven member l2 and the adjacent faces of the clutch shoes 25, as shown in Fig. 1, and holds the shoes 25 against the fixed static member 20.

The operation of the self-releasing two-way driven connection is as follows: Whenf-thef driving member In is stationary, the spring members 3| cause the clutch shoes 25, through engagement with the rollers 24, to assume a substantially centralized position in relation to the axis of the driving and driven members I!) and I2, at which time thereis a minimum practical running clearance between the friction surfaces 28 of the shoes 25 and theinner cylindric'surface 29 of the wall [9. When power is applied through the driving member ID, thatis to say-when the driving member ID is rotated the friction'between the static member 2 (rand the clutch shoes 25which are held; in eontact with each other by the dished spring washer 35, cause the clutch shoes 25 to resist rotation and thus be oppositely and outwardly shifted by the action of gear teeth I! on rack teeth 26 un tilfthey engage the friction surface 29 of the cylindric wall iii. In addition to the thrust of the gear '15, the clutch shoes 25 tend to be wedged outwardly by the action of the rollers 24 riding uponthe sides of the grooves 30.

The clutch shoes 25 also tend tobe thrown outwardly by centrifugal force, but the effect of the centrifugal force is comparatively small and incidental and is unnecessary to the operation of the clutch. m

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated an alternate form of my invention in which the clutch actuating means comprises a cam tiiformedon the shaft l0 and anotch 39 on the inner face of each clutch shoe 25. H v 7 M H q Whenthe driving member [it is stationary, the cam 38 rests freely in the ape); of the notch 39, thereby permitting the spring 3| to reinlove the clutch members from driving engagement with the surface 29, and to hold the ema l shoesin a substantially centralizedposition in relation to the axis of the driving and driven members through engagement with the rollers 24 When the driving member l0 is rotated the cam 'member engages the sides 40 of the notch'39 and forcesthe clutch shoes 25 into driving engagement with surface. v m

It will be recognized that the movement of the shoes 25 is very small in'view of the small clear ance between the surfacesnthereof and the surface 29 of the cylindric wall 19, 'when the shoes are in centralized position, and therefore the clutch will take hold rapidly and at low rotational speed. 7 Also, the clutch shoes are disengaged substantially instantaneously under the action of the springs 3| whenever the shaft I0 is brought to a stop, and thereafter the driven member 12 may be manuallyrotated at will. Another valuable feature of the invention is that the drive mechanism will operate in either direction of rotation, due to the symmetry'o'f the shoes 25 and the provision of similar frictional engagement surfaces 28 at both ends thereof.

I claim as .m nv ti n; 1. a v

1. In a releasing two w'ay driveco'nnection, the

combination of a rotatable driving member having a projecting spur gear element disposed on its axis of rotation and connected for rotation therewith; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member, having an annular wall surrounding said gear element; clutch members disposed within said annular wall and on opposite sides of said gear element, each of said clutch members having teeth to engage's'aid gear element so that rotation of said gear element will transmit through said teeth to said clutch members a force to move said clutch members into driving engagement with said annular wall; and yieldable means for forcing the teeth of said clutch members toward said gear element and removing said clutch members from driving engagement with said annular wall when rotation of said gear element is stopped.

2. In a releasing two-way drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member having a projecting sp'ur gear element disposed on its axis of rotation-arid connected for rotation therewith; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member; having an' annular wall surrounding said gear elementj clut'ch members disposed within said annular wall 'and'on op'-' posite sides 'of said gear 'eIementf each of said clutch members having teeth to 'engaga'said gear element so that opposite directions of rotation of said gear element will respectively transmit through said teeth-tdsaidclutch members "a force to move saidclutch members intodriving engagement with "said annular wall;" spring means for forcin'gthe 'teethof'saidclutch members toward said gear element and'r'emoving said clutch members from."'driving' engagement with said annular wall when rotation of said gear"element is stopped; and centralizing means cooperating with said spring eans to maintain said clutch members in centralized'rel'ation to said annular" wall when said 'driv'ingme'mbr 'is not rotating. 4

3. In is releasing two wa'y drive connection'ythe combination of: a rotatablehriving' member having a projecting-spur gear elementfdisposed on its axis of rotatio'nandconnected forj rotation therewith';' "a driven member axially aligned with said driving 'member;having-an annular wall surrounding said gearelement; double ended clutch members disposed wi'thinfsaid'ana nular'wall and on o'pbdsite sideso'fsaidgear-elm ment, each of 'said clutch members haying'teeth to engage said gear element so thatfop'posite d1- rections of rotatio'nof 'said gear-element will respectively transmit through said teeth to said clutch members a force to move saidclutch members into driving-engagement'iwith said annular wall; spring means for forcing sai'd'clu'tch'mem bers from driving engagement with said annular wall when rotation of 'saidge'ar element is stopped; and guidemea'ns between said clutch members for bringing theni'intoicentralized relation tosaid annula'r'wall'lwh'n "said 'cliit'ch members are forced together {by said "spring means. V V

4. In a, releasing reversible driveconhect'ion} the combinationof: a rotatable driving member having a projecting cam'member disposed'on its axis of rotation; a driven member'axially aligned with said driving member, having an annular wall provided with a friction 'sur'fac'e surrounding said cam member;'elongate"clutc h members supported within said annular 'wall jonopposite sides of saidoam'me'mber forlrelative'shifting movements, said cam member "being" engaged by means to resist rotation of said clutch members;

spring means for forcing said clutch members toward said cam memberand removing said clutch members from frictional engagement with said friction surface when rotation of said cam meme ber is stopped; and centralizing means positioned between the clutch members and engaged thereby for cooperating with saidspring means to maintain said clutch members in centralized relation to said annular wall -'-'-w'h'en said driving member is not rotating.

5. In a releasing reversible drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member having a projecting cam member disposed on its axis of rotation; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member,'having an annular wall provided with'a friction surface surrounding said cam member; elongate clutch members supported within said annular wall on opposite sides of said cam member for relative shifting movements, said cam member being'en'gaged by said clutch members. and so formed; that rotation ;of said cam member inopposite directions will'respectively transmit to. said clutch, members agzforce to move saidclutchmembers into frictional engagement with said friction1surface;means normally resisting rotation of said clutch members; spring means for forcing said clutch members toward said cam member and removing said clutch members from frictional engagement with said friction surface when rotation of said cam member is stopped; and guide means including parts on said cam having interfitting engagement with said clutch members for bringing them into centralized relation to said annular wall when said clutch members are forced together by said spring means.

6. In a releasing two-way drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member having a projecting cam member disposed on its axis of rotation; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member, having an annular wall surrounding said cam member; clutch members disposed within said annular wall and on opposite sides of said cam member, each of said clutch members engaging said cam member so that rotation of said cam member will transmit to said clutch members a force to move said clutch members into driving engagement with said annular wall; rollers between said clutch members upon which they are relatively movable; friction means to resist rotation of said clutch members with said driving member; and spring means for forcing said clutch members toward said cam member and removing said clutch members from driving engagement with said annular wall when rotation of said cam member is stopped.

'7. In a releasing two-way drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member having a projecting cam member disposed on its axis of rotation; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member, having an annular wall surrounding said cam member; clutch members disposed within said annular wall and on opposite sides of said cam member, each of said clutch members engaging said cam member so that rotation of said cam member will transmit to said clutch member a force to move said clutch members into driving engagement with said annular wall; friction means abutting one side of said clutch members to resist rotation of said clutch members; a spring member between said driven member and the opposite side of said clutch members for providing frictional contact between said friction means and said clutch members; spring means for forcing 'said clutch members toward said cam member and removmg said clutch members from driving engagement with said annularwall when rotation of 1 said cam memberis stopped; and guide mem- ..bers disposedbetween said "clutch members, said guide members having guide engagement with said'clutch members to bring said clutch members into centralized relation'to the axis of said :dr'iving member. when said .clutch members? are :"forced' toward each otherby. said-spring means.

, 8. In a releasing two-way drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member having ,a projectingcami memberdisposed on its axis ofrrotation; a drivenmember axially aligned with" said driving :member, having an annular wall surrounding said cam member;;clutch members disposed within'sai'd annularwall and on opposite sides of said cam member, each of' said clutchmembers engaging saidcam member so that rotation of said cam member will transmit to said clutch'm'embers a 'forceitoimove" said clutch members drivingengagement' with said annular wall; .frictionrmeans to resistirotation of said clutch 'members';.fmeans for providing frictional contact. between said friction means and said, clutch members; spring means for 'forcing said clutch members towardsaid cam member and removing said clutch members from driving engagement with said'annular'wall when rotation of said cam member is stopped; and roller members having guide engagement with said clutch members for bringing said clutch members into centralized relation to the axis of said driving member when said clutch members are forced toward each other by said spring means.

9. In a releasing reversible drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member; a driven member axially aligned with said driving member having an annular wall surrounding the driving member; elongate clutch members disposed within said annular wall and on opposite sides of said driving member; means positioned between the clutch members operative in response to rotation of the driving member to move the clutch members into driving engagement with said annular wall to form with said means a driving connection between the driving and driven members; friction means to resist rotation of said clutch member; spring means biasing said clutch members from driving engagement with said annular wall when rotation of the driving member ceases; and guide means between said clutch members including parts on opposite sides of said first means engageable by each of said clutch members, adapted to bring them into centralized relation to said annular :wall when said clutch members are moved from driving engagement by the spring means.

10. In a releasing two-way drive connection, the combination of: a rotatable driving member;

a driven member axially aligned with said driv- ;said means a driving connection between said driving and driven. members;;friction means to resist rotation-of said clutchmembers with said driving member; and spring ,means r biasing said clutch members from' driving engagement-with said annular wallzwhenrotationof the-driving member ceases.

11. In a releasing reversible drive. connection, the combination of: arotatabledriving member; a driven member. axially alignedzwithsaiddriving member and :having: an annular :wall vsurrounding the driving member;.1elongate: clutch members. disposed :.within said :annular wallz and on opposite sides: of 1 said :drivingimember; :each of said clutch members rhavingz surfacesrat its opposite ends-for engagingtsaid:.annular wall;

means positioned between the clutch members, including a part operative in:response.:to;.rotation of the: driving; member: to relativelymove the clutch members longitudinally, .for: movingwthe clutch membersintodriving engagement. at their opposite ends with saidsannularrwall'to form with. said means a driving sconnectionsbetween said driving and'driven members; friction means to resist rotation ofsaid clutchrmembersv; and spring means connecting said clutch members between their ends for moving them from driving engagement with said'annularwall when'rotation of thedriving-member ceases.

4 12. In a. releasingfltwo-way drive: connection, thecombination of arotatable driving-member; a driven memberxaxiallyaligned with said-driving. member and .having anannular wall-surrounding the driving: member; 1 clutch r members disposed within isaid. annular wallh'avingconfronting inner faces disposed on opposite sides of .said driving member confronting grooves in said I faces positioned on opposite sides of said. driving member; spacing rollers seated in said grooves; means-positioned between the clutch members and between said rollerssinterconnecting the clutch members with the driving member for relatively'shifting said clutch members in opposite directions-into driving engagementwith said annulai wallin response to rotation of the driving member, whereby a driving connection is established-between the driving and driven. members; means for resisting rotation-of the clutch members and spacing rollers ,with said driving member; and means resiliently urging said clutch members toward positions wherein the rollers are respectively seated inintheeassociated of said 1 grooves.

v JAMES EJCHAPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof .recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name -Date 253,083 Merritt Jan. 31, 1882 1,110,802 Ledeboer $6913.15, 1914 1,610,794 Keller 'Dec. 14, 1926 1,806,340 Francis. -JMay 19, 1931 3 2,373,462 Crow Apr.,10, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 342,446 Austria -1 Dec. 4, 1929 

